Top tips for bathing your dog in winter
- Meghan Blumsum
- Dec 30, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 24, 2023
Dog Owners/Family/VET angle: Being so close to the Christmas holiday season, winter always draws families together. With our canine friends being a family favourite, pampering your dog is crucial throughout the chilly months.
Saving Money angle: As winter draws closer and living expenses rise, some comforts will need to be removed from the budget. Although it’s great to treat your pet to a pamper day, bathing your animals at home can help you save money.
Lifestyle angle: In the colder months, it's important to plan your dog walking route in advance if you want to avoid those puddles. But as we all know, dogs often wander into muddy puddles, which makes cleanup so much more difficult!
The specialists at Shower Enclosure Experts have therefore revealed the best advice for bathing your dog at home this winter. To achieve this, they looked into a range of online tips and tricks, identifying the ten most crucial procedures for keeping your dog clean and warm after a messy day out.
We really hope you find this release useful. If you do end up using it, please provide a link to Shower Enclosure Expertswho commissioned the data. A linked credit allows us to keep supplying you with future content that you may find useful.
1. Turn up the heat in your home
Your home's heating needs to be increased before bathing your pet. The potential of catching hypothermia is the main worry while bathing your dog in the winter, and the warmer your home is, the less probable it is that your dog will become chilled.
2. Morning baths are the best
It’s recommended to bathe your dog in the morning in winter, so they can dry off in the afternoon when the sun has reached its warmest. This prevents them from having a wet coat in the evening when it’s typically colder.
3. Pay close attention to your dog’s paws
Examining your dog's claws frequently is more important because in the winter, as your pet isn't as active, you may notice that their nails seem to grow longer. Long nails make it difficult for dogs to retain a firm hold in the bath which can lead to them falling over.
4. Brushing your dog before and after the bath
Your dog’s fur should be brushed both before and after washing. All dog breeds shed occasionally, so it's advisable to remove any extra dead hair before shampooing. Before bathing, brushing your pet's hair will help remove any matting and tangles, making the process simpler and more enjoyable for both you and your dog.
5. Cotton balls are perfect for dogs ears
Dogs dislike getting water in their ears, therefore they may shake off mid-bath in an effort to get the water out. This can be avoided by inserting a little cotton ball into your pet's ears during bathing, making the experience more relaxing for your dog.
6. Make sure the temperature is slightly below 37°C
It’s not recommended to give your dog a cold bath as it’s bad for their health. It’s best to slightly warm the water in winter, this way they will be comfortable, feel relaxed and enjoy their bath. It is crucial to be careful with the water temperature and ensure it is 37°C / 98.6°For slightly lower to avoid burning them, especially with puppies and elderly dogs as water that is excessively hot can strain your pet's heart.
7. Avoid getting water in their nose
It's essential to gently mist your dog's face, but keep water away from the nostrils. The best technique is to tilt the head up while paying great attention to the nose. If there is too much water inside the nostrils, the risk of choking increases.
8. A good dog shampoo matters
Although it's not necessary, it's important to select the best dog shampoo for your particular breed in order to avoid allergies and skin disorders. To lower the risk of an allergic response, the RSPCA advises trying a small amount of shampoo on your dog first to test if there is any reaction.
9. Rinse and Repeat
Bathing your dog doesn’t have to be a drawn-out process. Rinsing your dog off fast but thoroughly is important to prevent leftover suds which can irritate your dog's skin. Rinsing quickly also means that your dog spends less time exposed to the chilly air.
10. Drying your dog
After you have finished bathing your dog, blow-dry them with a hairdryer set to the lowest heat setting. The dog's coat will be warmed and fluffed, keeping them comfortable as they dry. Holding the dog in place with one hand, move the blow dryer back and forth over the body while keeping the nozzle at least six inches away to avoid burns.
Martin Smith, owner of Shower Enclosure Expertshas provided an exclusive comment regarding how to bathe your dog in the best way during the colder months:
“During winter it is essential that dogs are bathed in the safest and most comfortable way. A warm bath can create a favourable affiliation towards water and the bathtub. It also allows those frosty morning baths to become a lot easier for the dog, and more manageable for the owner.
“Ensuring great care is taken with the temperature, monthly baths can be great as they encourage dogs to produce their distinctive scent, which they use to communicate with other animals, and lowers their risk of getting a chill.”
Methodology:
Shower Enclosure Expertswanted to uncover the top tips for bathing your dog during the winter months.
To do this, they identified the most useful tips through articles such as Be.Chewy.com, Pets.thenest.com, Myanimals.comand Petsradar.comto find the best results for dog owners.
An expert comment has also been provided by Shower Enclosure Experts detailing the best tips to give dogs a safe and comforting winter bath.
All data was collected on 24/10/22 and is accurate as of then.
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